Piprahwa relics repatriation reflects shared stewardship, not ownership: scholars

Buddha’s message spread through dialogue and ethical conduct, not coercion

New Delhi: A panel of leading scholars on Sunday said the repatriation of the sacred Piprahwa relics should be seen as an act of shared cultural stewardship rather than ownership, underscoring India’s enduring civilisational responsibility as the birthplace of Buddhism.

The observations were made during a panel discussion on Buddhist Philosophy held at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex in New Delhi, organised alongside the inauguration of the Grand International Exhibition of the Sacred Piprahwa Relics.

Chairing the session, Siddharth Singh said the Buddha’s teachings travelled across regions not through force or conversion but through dialogue, ethical conduct and personal example. Buddhism, he said, aims at purification of the human mind and the alleviation of suffering, not proselytisation. He added that the Piprahwa relics continue to sustain living traditions by linking present-day practitioners with the historical Buddha, and their return symbolises shared guardianship of a common human heritage.

Nalin Kumar Shastri said the repatriation highlights the renewed relevance of Buddhist philosophy in addressing contemporary challenges. He pointed to core teachings such as Anattā, the Brahmavihāras and Pratītyasamutpāda as ethical frameworks for social harmony, ecological responsibility and mental well-being, reinforcing India’s role as the Motherland of Dhamma.

Anand Singh said relics of the Buddha and his disciples function as symbolic embodiments of the Dhamma, uniting the Buddha’s living presence with his teachings. He noted that relic veneration helped expand Buddhist sacred geography through stupas and caityas while absorbing local cultural elements without diluting philosophical foundations.

Bala Ganpathi said Buddhism’s global acceptance rests on its philosophical depth and ethical universality. Describing the Piprahwa relics as living reminders of the Buddha’s message, he said Buddhist philosophy offers a practical moral framework for peace and coexistence in a fragmented world.

Rajnish Mishra highlighted the intellectual continuities between Buddhist and classical Indian thought, noting the shared philosophical space of Śramaṇic and Brāhmaṇical traditions and the historical role of centres such as Varanasi in fostering debate and dialogue.

Ujjwal Kumar explained the doctrinal distinction between stupa and cetiya, noting that while a stupa houses relics, a cetiya serves as a sacred reminder of the Buddha, with both central to Buddhist ethical and devotional life. He also underlined the significance of Sarnath as the site of the Buddha’s first sermon.

The panel collectively described the repatriation of the Piprahwa relics as a gesture of cultural stewardship and global goodwill, reflecting India’s continuing commitment to peace and shared human values.